The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) celebrates another year of achievements in canine health research.

In 2018, CHF awarded 38 new research grants and increased their grant funding by 37% compared to last year. Hemangiosarcoma, tick-borne disease, and epilepsy research initiatives provided expanded funding opportunities for these important canine health concerns. The total number of CHF-supported publications in peer-reviewed journals surpassed 700 in 2018. CHF finishes the year managing over 120 active grants with funding totaling more than $8 million.

At their annual Canines & Cocktails Gala, held in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with the American Kennel Club (AKC) National Championship and associated events, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals received the 2018 AKC Canine Health Foundation President’s Award in recognition of their exceptional contribution to advancing canine health through many years of collaboration with CHF. The American Boxer Charitable Foundation and the Golden Retriever Foundation were named 2018 Distinguished Research Partners for their ongoing and outstanding commitment to support canine health research. Also recognized was Mrs. Katharine Simonds, recipient of the inaugural AKC Canine Health Foundation Legacy Award given in special recognition of a lifelong champion for dogs and supporter of the AKC Canine Health Foundation and its mission.

“We are honored to collaborate with the highest caliber scientists, breeders, veterinarians and dog lovers,” states CHF CEO, Dr. Diane Brown. “We look forward to better health for all dogs as we work with these groups to create even more opportunities to advance canine health research.”

Matched funding opportunities provided a means for CHF donors to double their impact on canine health in 2018. The AKC matched donations from new or lapsed donors, from clubs, and donations for hemangiosarcoma research. The Golden Retriever Foundation, Flat-Coated Retriever Foundation, and American German Shepherd Dog Charitable Foundation also matched donations towards hemangiosarcoma research.

CHF earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator in 2018 and maintained its platinum rating from GuideStar, demonstrating that it exceeds industry standards for fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency and outperforms most charities in its category. Individuals interested in supporting CHF’s mission to advance the health of all dogs and their owners by funding scientific research and supporting the dissemination of health information to prevent, treat and cure canine disease are encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation at akcchf.org/donate. Donations completed by December 31 are eligible for 2018 tax benefits.

With the help of its donors and volunteers, CHF looks forward to another year of finding better treatments, more accurate diagnoses, and improved understanding of the mechanisms that cause disease in dogs in 2019.